Skip to content

Non-randomised trial, 1996

Do women with PMS have different hormone levels?

Women with PMS have lower vasopressin levels throughout their cycle, suggesting a biological difference. However, this very small study needs larger confirmation studies.

Early or limited evidence 19 women with PMS and 12 healthy control women.

What they did

A hormonal study measuring three hormones (arginine vasopressin, atrial natriuretic peptide, and ACTH) across the menstrual cycle in 19 women with PMS and 12 healthy control women.

What they found

Arginine vasopressin (AVP) concentrations were lower throughout the entire menstrual cycle in women with PMS compared with controls and with the same women during asymptomatic cycles. No significant differences in ACTH and ANP were found between groups. However, ACTH and ANP were positively correlated in women with PMS but not in controls.

What it means for you

This study suggests women with PMS may have an underlying neurobiological vulnerability, including differences in vasopressin regulation. However, this was a very small cross-sectional study, and findings require confirmation with larger samples.

19

Women with PMS

12

Control women

About the study

Original title
Peripheral measures of arginine vasopressin, atrial natriuretic peptide and adrenocorticotropic hormone in premenstrual syndrome
Authors
Rosenstein DL, Kalogeras KT, Kalafut M et al.
Journal
Psychoneuroendocrinology
Year
1996
Study design
Non-randomised trial
Participants
19
What was tested
None; observational hormonal study.

Topics